Who is the best? Africa!

African football has every reason to be proud, as the continent has emerged as the most successful at this World Cup when it comes to advancing beyond the group stage. Teams representing the Confederation of African Football have achieved an outstanding 90% qualification rate, with nine of the ten African nations reaching the Round of 32. The only exception was Tunisia national football team, whose campaign ended prematurely. Following a crushing 5-1 defeat to Sweden national football team, the Tunisians even made the unprecedented decision to change head coaches during the tournament.

Africa's historic achievement was powered by South Africa national football team, Morocco, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and the tournament's surprise package, Cape Verde national football team, who are making their World Cup debut. Tunisians tried to shake things up after the first round loss and sacked Sabri Lamouchi, but even the famous Herve Renard couldn’t stop the Carthage Eagles’ downfall.

Wissa brace sends DR Congo into World Cup Round of 32

South America produced a similarly impressive campaign, although CONMEBOL was represented by far fewer teams. The continent finished with five of its six representatives progressing, an 83.3% success rate. The only disappointment was Uruguay national football team, whose group-stage elimination ranks among the tournament's biggest upsets. As expected, Brazil and defending champions Argentina advanced comfortably. Colombia topped their group ahead of Portugal, while Paraguay and Ecuador also enjoyed memorable campaigns, with Ecuador reaching the knockout stage for only the second time in their World Cup history.

Mahrez double sends Algeria into round of 32 as Messi makes history

Asia endured the most disappointing tournament among the major confederations, with just two of nine teams progressing. South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Uzbekistan national football team all failed to qualify. As has often been the case, Japan and Australia once again carried the continent into the knockout rounds. No nation from Oceania had appeared at a World Cup since 2010 before this tournament. New Zealand national football team, returning to the global stage for the first time since the tournament in South Africa, were unable to make it beyond the group stage on this occasion either.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Sunday

22.00: (5.80) S.Africa (3.70) Canada (1.73)

Monday

20.00: (1.73) Brazil (3.60) Japan (5.20)

23.30: (1.40) Germany (4.60) Paraguay (8.00)

Tuesday

04.00: (2.20) Netherlands (3.15) Morocco (3.75)

00.00: (1.30) France (5.80) Sweden (9.00)

Wednesday

04.00: (2.25) Mexico (2.95) Ecuador (3.85)

19.00: (1.30) England (5.20) Dr Congo (11.0)

23.00: (2.15) Belgium (3.25) Senegal (3.75)

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

*** odds are subject to change